Means for adjustable mounting switch units



Nov. 17, 1964 G. M. BEARDOW 3,157,754

MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING SWITCH UNITS Filed March 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvmox. 6e0rye M. Beam'mv 47' TOKA/E X5 3,157,754 MEANS FGR ADJUSTABQLY MtiUNTlNG SWITCH Uf lfib George M. Beardow, ltedriing Ridge, (Jenn, assignor to Vitramon, Incorporated, Monroe, (forum, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 14-, 1963, Ser. No. 12 Claims. (Cl. see -22) The present invention relates to a control unit and to switch units used therein having a novel means for adjustably mounting said switch units and is an improvement on the invention disclosed and claimed in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,993,963.

In said patent the switch units were provided with ears by which they were mounted in a control unit or the like by being clamped to a frame. Adjustment of the make and break relation of the contacts was made by adjusting the position of a stationary contact in the switch unit and there were no reliable lateral adjustments for the position of the switch unit, particularly on the control unit when the switch was in operation.

The present invention provides a novel and simplified mounting means by which the make and break relation of the contacts or switch unit and the timing of the engagement of the actuating means with the operator of the switch can be accurately and readily adjusted while the switch is in operation.

This is accomplished by providing means in the mounting means for rocking the switch unit toward or away from the actuating means for the switch to position the operator so as to control its reciprocating position with respect to the switch unit'and thus control the closed portion of the operating cycle. The mounting means is also provided with means whereby the operator is adjusted laterally in the path of movement of the movable actuating means to control the timing and extent of engagement therewith whereby the sequential operation of the switch can be accurately controlled.

A feature of the invention resides in the simplicity of the structure of the novel mounting means and its ready access and ease of adjustment so that the timing of the operation or the switch and the extent of operation of the switch can be accurately adjusted while the switch is in operation to secure a maximum accuracy.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a view unit.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through a switch unit.

PEG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the unit as mounted on the frame for adjustment.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the actuating means of FIG. 4- showing the effect of the adjustments.

PEG. 6 is a view similar to H6. 3 showing the lateral adjustment or" the operator.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to Fit}. 5 showing the effect of the adjustment in the path of movement to eifect timpartly in section oi a control ing and the extent of en agement of the operator with the actuating means.

In the illustrated form of the invention a plurality o i switch units Std are shown mounted on a control unit ii having a frame 1.2 for mounting the switch units in adjacent parallel relation. Freferably, the frame is annular and surrounds a main shaft 13 carrying actuating means, herein illustrated as a cam means adapted to move transversely or" the units and to sequentially actuate the'switch units. The shaft is driven by a motor 1 United States Patent 0 Patented Nov. 17, 1964 See Each switch unit lit, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a housing 17 having a fixed contact i8 and cooperable movable contact 19 therein connected to suitable leads L, said contacts being normally urged to closed circuit position. A restraining member it normally holds the movable contact It? in open circuit position as shown in PEG. 2. An operator member 21 when actuated engages the restraining member and moves it from restraining position to permit the contacts to close in the switch. Preferably, the operator member is slidable in a sleeve 22 on the housing and has its lower end 21a projecting therefrom to be engaged by the cam means on the shaft.

As shown in FIGS. 37, the novel mounting means comprises a mounting screw 23 positioned in a slot 24 formed in an extension 17a at one end of the switch unit and is adapted to be threaded into the frame. The mounting screw has a sleeve 25 rotatable thereon with the head 25a of the sleeve bearing on the top of the extension 176: to clamp it to the frame. The other end of the switch unit is provided with an extension 17b carrying the threaded bushing as into which an adjusting screw 27 is threaded with the end projecting therefrom and bearing against the frame so that by adjusting the screw the unit will be rocked about a fulcrum point 23 at the other end of the unit, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, to move the operator member 21 toward or away from the actuating means, as shown by the two positions in FIG. 5, which moves in the direction of arrow A and controls the movement of the operator and the make and break or" the contacts and thus determines the closed portion of the operating cycle.

Whiie the fulcrum can be a ridge or the like projecting from the housing, in the illustrated form of the invention the bottom of extension 17a is cut back and inclined at 17c (F163. 2 and 4) to permit the required rocking of the switch unit about the end thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the end of screw 27 is disposed in a recess 2.9 in the frame to locate the unit thereon. Preferably, the end of the screw is conical and is disposed in a conical recess to more accurately locate and position the switch unit.

The novel mounting means also includes means for controlling the time of engagement of the cam with the operator member. This is accomplished by pivotally mounting one end of the switch unit 19 and swinging the unit about the pivot to shift the position of the operator member transversely in the path of movement of the cam. in the illustrated form of the invention the switch unit is arranged to be pivotally moved about the adjusting screw 27 as a pivot so that the operator member, as shown by the two positions in PEG. 6, moves transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means as indicated by the arrow B. in the preferred form of the invention the pivoting is obtained by forming the portion 25b of the sleeve 25 disposed in the slot as an eccentric as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. By rotating the sleeve on the screw, the end of the switch unit can be moved laterally and cause the unit to pivot around the screw 2. This will shift the location of tie operator member, as shown by the two positions in FIG. 7, so that it will be engaged by the cam earlier or later in its operation. While the sleeve can be adjusted in various ways, it is preferred to provide notch means Si? in the head portion 25a of the sleeve to enable a spanner or similar tool (not shown) to readily rotate the sleeve.

It will be noted in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the heads of the mounting screws 23, adjusting screw 27 and sleeve 25 are all readily accessible so that the switch units can be adjusted while the switch is in operation which enables highly accurate adjustments to be made with great simplicity.

it will be seen, therefore, that the novel mounting means 2' provides a switch device which can be used singly or in multiple to provide a control unit with equal facility and with accurate control of the adjustments thereof to regulate the period of contact closure and time sequence of operation of the device with great facility.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

I claim:

1. A control unit comprising a frame, a plurality of switch units, each having contacts therein and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, mounting means for mounting said units on the frame, and movable actuating means on the control unit movable in a predetermined path for sequentially operating the operator members of said switch units, adjustable means in the mounting means including a first means in the mounting means for each switch unit for moving the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said actuating means for controlling the period of contact closure in the switch and a second means in the mounting means for moving said operator member transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said actuating means whereby the plurality of switch units can be individually adjusted and controlled as to the time sequence and operation thereof.

2. A control unit comprising a frame, a plurality of switch units, each having contacts therein and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, mounting means for mounting said units on the frame, and movable actuating means on the control unit movable in a predetermined path for sequentially operating the operator members of said switch units, adjustable means in the mounting means including a first means in the mounting means for each switch unit for moving the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said actuating means for controlling the period of contact closure in the switch and a second means in the mounting means for moving said operator member transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said actuating means whereby the plurality of switch units can be individually adjusted and controlled as to the time sequence and operation thereof, said adjustable means being disposed in an exposed position whereby controlling adjustments of the switch units can be made while the control unit is in operation.

3. A control unit comprising a frame, a plurality of switch units, each having contacts therein and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, mounting means for mounting said units on the frame, and movable actuating means having an inclined actuating surface on the control unit movable in a predetermined path for sequentially operating the operator members of said switch units, a means in the mounting means for each switch unit including a mounting screw on one end of the switch unit threaded into said frame and an adjusting screw on the other end of the unit hearing against the frame to rock the unit about said firstmentioned end to position said operator member and to move the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said actuating means for determining the point of contact with said inclined surface, whereby the movement of the operator member and the make and break relation of said contacts is adjusted.

4. In a control unit having a frame, a plurality of switch units, each having contacts therein and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, mounting means for mounting said units on the frame, and movable actuating means on the control unit movable in a predetermined path for sequentially operating the operator members of said switch units, the improvement including a pivot at one end of the switch unit and an eccentric means at the other end operable to swing the switch unit about the pivot to move the operator member transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means to control the time of engagement between the actuating means and operator member for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said actuating means.

5. In a control unit having a frame, a plurality of switch units, each having contacts therein and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, mounting means for mounting said units on the frame, and movable actuating means on the control unit movable in a predetermined path for sequentially operating the operator members of said switch units, the improvement comprising a first means in the mounting means for each switch unit including a mounting screw on one end of the switch unit threaded into said frame and an adjusting screw on the other end of the unit hearing against the frame to rock the switch unit about the first-mentioned end and move the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said actuating means for determining the movement of the operator member and the make and break relation of said contacts, and a second means including an eccentric means rotatable on the mounting screw and operable to swing the switch unit about the adjusting screw as a pivot to move the operator member transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means to control the time of engagement between the actuating means and operator member for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said actuating means.

6. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon by a mounting means and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, and a rotatable actuating means for operating the operator member, the improve ment comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the swtich unit for moving the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said actuating means for controlling the make and break relation of said contacts and for moving said operator member transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said actuating means.

7. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon by a mounting means and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, and a rotatable actuating means for operating the operator member, the improvement comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the switch unit for moving the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said actuating means for controlling the make and break relation of said contacts and for moving said operator member transversely in the path of movement of the actuating means for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said actuating means, said adjustable means being disposed in an exposed position whereby controlling adjustments can be made while the switch device is in operation.

8. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon by a mounting means and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, and a movable cam means for operating the operator member, the improvement comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the switch unit comprising a first mounting screw on one end of the switch unit threaded into said frame and a second screw on the other end of the unit bearing against the frame, said second screw cooperating to rock the unit about the first-mentioned end to position said operator member and move the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said cam means for determining the movement of the operator member and the make and break relation of said contacts, said second screw forming a pivot for the switch unit andisaid first screw having an eccentric rotatably mounted thereon and cooperating with said switch unit to swing the switch unit about the pivot and move the operator member transversely in the path of movement of the cam means to control the time of engagement therebetween for controlling the timing of the actuation of said switch means by the cam means.

9. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon by mounting means and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, and a movable cam means having an inclined camming surface for operating the operator member, the improvement comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the switch unit comprising a mounting screw on one end of the switch unit threaded into said frame, said one end being undercut to provide a fulcrum about which said unit is adapted to be rocked, and an adjusting screw on the other end of the unit bearing against the frame, said screws cooperating to rock said unit about said fulcrum for positioning said operator member and moving the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said cam means for determining the point of contact With said inclined camming surface whereby the movement of the operator member and the make and break relation of said contacts is adjusted.

10. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon by mounting means and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, and a movable cam means having an inclined camming surface for operating the operator member, the improvement comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the switch unit comprising a mounting screw on one end of the switch unit threaded into said frame and an adjusting screw on the other end of the unit having the end thereof disposed in a locating recess and bearing against the frame, said screws cooperating to rock the unit about one end to position said operator member and move the operator member toward or away from the path of movement of said cam means for determining the point of contact with said inclined camming surface, whereby the movement of the operator member and the make and break relation of said contacts is adjusted.

11. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon by mounting means and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts, and a movable cam means for operating the operator member, the improvement comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the switch unit, said means comprising a pivot at one end or the switch unit and an eccentric means at the other end operable to swing the switch unit about the pivot to move the operator member transversely in the path of movement or" the cam means to control the time of engagement between the cam means and operator member for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said cam means.

12. A switching device having a frame, a switch unit having contacts therein mounted thereon and provided with a projecting reciprocable operator member for said contacts and a movable cam means for operating the operator member, the improvement comprising adjustable means in the mounting means for the switch unit, said means comprising a pivot at one end of the switch unit and a mounting screw having an eccentric means rotatable thereon disposed at the other end, said eccentric means being disposed in a slot formed in said switch means and being operable when rotated on said screw to swing the switch unit about the pivot to move the operator member transversely in the path of movement of the cam means to control the time of engagement therebetween for controlling the timing of the actuation thereof by said cam means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,748,219 5/56 Buchanan 200166 2,803,718 8/57 Bloom et al. 200-166 2,849,185 8/58 Keyes 200166 2,853,567 9/58 Kock 200166 2,972,661 2/61 Rommel 200-166 2,993,963 7/61 Beardow 20030 BERNARD A. GLLHEANY, Primary examiner. 

1. A CONTROL UNIT COMPRISING A FRAME, A PLURALITY OF SWITCH UNITS, EACH HAVING CONTACTS THEREIN AND PROVIDED WITH A PROJECTING RECIPROCABLE OPERATOR MEMBER FOR SAID CONTACTS, MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID UNITS ON THE FRAME, AND MOVABLE ACTUATING MEANS ON THE CONTROL UNIT MOVABLE IN A PREDETERMINED PATH FOR SEQUENTIALLY OPERATING THE OPERATOR MEMBERS OF SAID SWITCH UNITS, ADJUSTABLE MEANS IN THE MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST MEANS IN THE MOUNTING MEANS FOR EACH SWITCH UNIT FOR MOVING THE OPERATOR MEMBER TOWARD OR AWAY FROM THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF CONTACT CLOSURE IN THE SWITCH AND A SECOND MEANS IN THE MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID OPERATOR MEMBER TRANSVERSELY IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE TIMING OF THE ACTUATION THEREOF BY SAID ACTUATING MEANS WHEREBY THE PLURALITY OF SWITCH UNITS CAN BE INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTED AND CONTROLLED AS TO THE TIME SEQUENCE AND OPERATION THEREOF. 